Chennai: Rising prices of pulses ahead of Navarathri celebrations have hit the household budget of residents. Surprisingly, in a contrast to the usual scenario, prices of vegetables have decreased to about 20 per cent when compared to the previous month.
According to traders, the prices of Bengal gram, black gram and lentil gram have increased in the month of September, due to the rise in the demand.
“Being a month of marriages, there would be more demand, resulting in the escalation of prices of pulses and vegetables. However, due to the fruitful rains in South India, vegetable prices have not increased,” said V. R. Soundararajan, advisor, Koyambedu vegetable traders association.
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In the wholesale market, one kilo of toor dhal costs Rs 88 this month, which had been Rs 82 in August.
The cost of black gram and Bengal gram has increased to Rs 102 and Rs 98, against the last month's price of Rs 96 and Rs 90.
However, prices of the green gram and moong dhal remain the same. Rajalakshmi, a Chitlapakkam resident, said, “Navarathri celebrations begin in less than 15 days and households would be displaying Kolu dolls. Prasadam with different kind of pulses is made. The prices have gone up. We have no choice, but to buy them.”
The price of coconut, one of the essential commodities in sweets and variety rice, is Rs 25 and above now from Rs 15 last month.
“Though vegetable prices have decreased, we are expecting an increase in rate of pulses next week,” said G. Kanban, a trader from Guindy.
